Save your life with twenty pence– check your tyres!

 October has been dedicated by Cumbria Police as Tyre Safety month and drivers will be urged to check their tyres to ensure they are safe and legal before the winter weather sets in.

Sadly, each year, dozens of people are killed and hundreds are seriously injured across the UK as a result of collisions caused by illegal, defective or under-inflated tyres.

By simply using a twenty pence piece, however, everyone can check the tread on their tyres and potentially prevent another tragedy.

Police officers will be out and about across the county to encourage people to check their tyres, and will be on the look out for motorists driving on illegal or dangerous tyres during stop-checks.

PC Shaun McKeown, a Forensic Vehicle Examiner with Cumbria Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit, said “Road safety is a priority for police in Cumbria and it only takes a few minutes to check tyres by using 20p and by doing so could prevent a tragedy.

“All too often in Cumbria we hear about people’s lives being ruined by serious road traffic collisions, and this is even more devastating when we investigate them and it becomes apparent that it was caused by something as avoidable as a defective tyre.

“We will be out and about conducting stop checks across Cumbria to educate drivers about the risks. Motorists found to be driving on illegal tyres face a maximum penalty of three points per tyre on their license and a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre.

“It’s such an easy thing to check, and we should all look at our tyres as a matter of routine, maybe when you’re washing the car or when checking the pressure of your tyres.

“We are really keen for parents to instil the importance of vehicle maintenance on their teenage children when they begin driving as well, and would ask people to spread the tyre safety message to family and friends. You never know – you might save a life.

“It is simple to check your tyre tread, you only have to insert a 20p in the trend and if you can see any of the rim around the edge then you need to be getting your tyres checked. We understand not everyone will be confident in checking them, or if you do the test and you’re not sure, visit your local garage as the vast majority will inspect your tyres for free.”

As part of the campaign officers will be also working with Trading Standards to check on the selling of part-worn tyres to unsuspecting members of the public.

PC McKeown continued “We are committed to checking every aspect of tyre safety and will be looking at local garages to make sure that the tyres which are being sold are fit for purpose. In these financially difficult times, it is understandable that people will look to save some money and buy a tyre which they believe is ok but at a cost price. We want to make sure that people are not putting their lives at risk.

“We have to deal with the horrific aftermath of collisions on a daily basis and defective or unsafe tyres can often be a contributing factor. We hope that this campaign will get people to stop and think about their vehicles, provide them with the information they need to check their own tyres and hopefully, when they go home they’ll take the time to examine their tyres which may save lives in the future.

“As the nights get darker and the weather wetter, I can guarantee there will be many more drivers who will lose control as a result of driving around on worn or damaged tyres – don’t let you or your loved one be one of them – check your tyres now.”

Top Tips for checking your tyres:

· Check your tyre pressure at least once a month.

· Tyre pressure should be checked against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and on a plate which is often located inside the fuel filler flap or on the driver’s door sill.

· Check the pressure when tyres are cold (i.e. when you have travelled less than two miles).

· If you are carrying a full load of passengers or luggage or will be towing a trailer or caravan, tyre pressures should be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Details can be found in the handbook.

· Ensure a reliable and accurate pressure gauge is used.

· Check the pressure in all four tyres – and don’t forget to check the spare tyre as well.

· While checking pressures, give the rest of the tyre a visual inspection. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts.

· If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.

Cumbria police are working in connection with ‘Tyresafe’ a non–profit commercial organisation to raise as much awareness for the campaign as possible. www.tyresafe.org